Lunch Regulations

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Every year there are questions regarding school lunches, USD 352 is reminding parents/guardians of the rules and regulations that must be met. Please know these regulations are state and federal requirements - not just our district policies.

In order to participate in the Child Nutrition and Wellness program (including free and reduced meals) and receive government funding for all meals served, USD 352 is required to follow their guidelines.

Our Food Service Department is audited locally and by the Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) annually, with a Federal audit occurring every third year. If USD 352 is out of compliance with the regulations, the district is required to pay back funds received from the government subsidies. Non-compliance may also affect the district’s ability to be part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to offer free or reduced meals.

Kansas school sponsors that participate in the lunch program receive reimbursement from USDA for each meal served to eligible students. In return, they must serve lunches that meet federal requirements, and offer reduced price and free lunches to eligible students.

To meet USDA nutrition requirements, local sponsors choose the menus and use Nutrition Standards for School Meals, a food-based preparation method. Regulations establish a standard for school lunches to provide one-third (1/3) of the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) of protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, and calories. Regulations also require schools to meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend that no more than 30 percent of an individual's calories come from fat, and less than 10 percent from saturated fat.

Click here to view a PDF chart showing what your kids are offered daily, as well as the quantities/varieties the state requires the district to offer on average each week.

Beginning July 1, 2014, federal regulations require that all grains offered in the NSLP and School Breakfast Program be whole grain-rich. This means that 51% or more of the product must be made up of a whole grain. This includes, but is not limited to: Buns, rolls, pizza crust, cinnamon rolls, cookies/brownies, pastas, and noodles.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns feel free to contact Brittney Scott via email brittney.scott@usd352.org or by phone 890-2397.